Sushi is something you either love or hate. The characteristic somewhat sour taste with cold rice and tender raw fish doesn´t suit everyone’s palette, but still it has regained enormous popularity in the west since the 80s. Sushi actually originates from China, but it was in Japan that the method was refined and developed into what it is today.

Nare-Zushi

Pickling through fermentation became a popular method of preserving food during the 7th century in Southeast Asia. This was done to preserve flavor and durability. There were plenty of fish and rice so they packed it together so the fish would be preserved. The rice fermentation process created a lactic acid that naturally led to pickling of the fish. This could take up to two years, after the process was done; they tossed the rice and just ate the fish. This was called nare-zushi.

The Japanese development of sushi

During the 8th century sushi grew in popularity in Japan, when it developed into seisei-zushi which had a shorter fermentation. This made the fish rawer and the rice edible. During the Edo-era seisei-zushi developed to haya-zushi which meant that the rice were mixed with vinegar, something that gives the sushi its characteristic flavor still to this day. They also added different vegetables to the sushi.

Sushi stands

In the beginning of the 19th century, merchants put up food stalls at the Tokyo harbor since there were plenty of fresh fish and seaweed. In 1820 a chef called Haaya Yohei created a new method of making sushi. From his food stall he served the raw fish in pieces together with the seasoned rice. It immediately became a success since it was fast to make and could be eaten on the spot. These tidbits were called nigiri-zushi and are nowadays the most common sushi!

Sushi moves inside

After the earthquake in 1923, many sushi chefs left for other districts since their food stalls or houses had been destroyed, thus spreading the art of modern sushi cuisine to other parts of Japan. During the World War II, people had to seek refuge indoors, and therefore the sushi stalls moved indoors and started resembling contemporary sushi restaurants. The tradition of the sushi-chef standing behind the counter, making the sushi in front of his guests, has been standard ever since.

Popular in the 80s

During the 80s, sushi became popular in the Western world, particularly in the USA. After the Orient became popular in the 70s, all eyes were now on Japan after the health consciousness and the urge for something new had increased. Since then the sushi has spread all over the world and is nowadays as common as pizza, burgers or kebab – even they very popular dishes from other parts of the world.

This is how it works!

The easiest way to eat sushi is to order a menu that the sushi chef composed; they usually come in a small, medium and large version. Some common ingredients are salmon, prawn, avocado, cucumber, tuna and omelet. To this you´re served Japanese soy sauce that you blend with some horseradish tasting wasabi, and then you carefully dip the fish side of your nigiri-sushi into the sauce. Don´t dip the rice otherwise it will get soggy and fall apart. Usually sushi is eaten with sticks, but if you´re not experienced you can just as well eat with your hands. Good luck!

Sushi vocabulary:

Gari – pickled ginger
Nigiri – bits of raw fish, shellfish or vegetables over seasoned rice
Maki sushi – sushi rolls with seaweed
Hosomaki – small maki rolls
Gunkan maki – battle ship roll sushi, “standing” seaweed rolls usually with roe filling
Inari sushi – fried tofu filled with rice
Miso – soup made of soybeans, seaweed, tofu and fish stock
Chirashi – sushi rice in a bowl topped with vegetables or raw fish, i.e. sushi in a bowl
Sashimi – raw fish slices
I-Pin – side orders
Kushimono – skewers
Robatayaki – BBQ
Udon and Soba – Noodles
Shari – seaweed
Katsuo / bonito – generic term for fish used as stock (as in Miso soup)
Edamame – soybeans

If you want to learn how to use chop sticks you can watch this instruction video: www.videojug.com/film/how-to-use-chopsticks-5

Published 2009-01-19 15:59